The 2021 NBA Finals just ended with the Milwaukee Bucks winning their first NBA crown in 50 years, but oddsmakers already set the futures for next season. The Los Angeles Lakers and Brooklyn Nets head into the offseason as the top two favorites to win the 2022 NBA championship, with the Nets the overall favorite at +200 odds, followed by the Lakers at +450 odds.
Fresh off their title run, Giannis “Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks are +900 odds to win another championship. This season’s runner-up, the Phoenix Suns, have a bright future and are among the top-five favorites to win the 2022 championship at +1300 odds.
| 2022 NBA Championship Odds |
- Brooklyn Nets +200
- LA Lakers +750
- Milwaukee Bucks +900
- Golden State Warriors +1200
- Phoenix Suns +1300
- Utah Jazz +1400
- Philadelphia 76ers +1600
- LA Clippers +2000
- Denver Nuggets +2000
- Dallas Mavericks +2800
- Atlanta Hawks +3500
- Miami Heat +3500
- Boston Celtics +5000
- Portland Trail Blazers +5000
- New Orleans Pelicans +8000
- Toronto Raptors +8000
- Chicago Bulls +10000
- Charlotte Hornets +10000
- Memphis Grizzlies +10000
- New York Knicks +10000
- Indiana Pacers +10000
- Washington Wizards +15000
- Minnesota Timberwolves +25000
- San Antonio Spurs +25000
- Sacramento Kings +25000
- Detroit Pistons +50000
- Cleveland Cavs +50000
- Houston Rockets +50000
- OKC Thunder +50000
- Orlando Magic +50000
Since 2000, only four teams have won back-to-back titles, including the LA Lakers, who kicked off the new century with a three-peat between 2001 through 2003. The other back-to-back champs this century included the Lakers in 2009-10, LeBron James and the Miami Heat in 2012-13, and the Golden State Warriors 2017-18.
Deju Vu faves: Lakers and Nets
The Lakers and Nets were preseason favorites to win the title this year, but the quick turnaround from the pandemic-shortened season and injuries to key players derailed their championship hopes. Both the Nets and Lakers will enter next season with a specific mission: win the 2022 title.
LeBron James suffered a severely sprained ankle in March and missed significant time. He recovered in time for the playoffs, but Anthony Davis went down with a groin injury midway through the first round against the Phoenix Suns. The Lakers were eliminated in the opening round, which was a rare instance for a defending champion. Instead of the Lakers, the Suns won the Western Conference and advanced to the NBA Finals.
The public backed the Brooklyn Nets all season long, especially after they acquired James Harden in a trade. The Nets became the consensus title favorites after LeBron hurt his ankle. KD’s health held up in the postseason, but Harden suffered a hamstring injury in the first game of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Milwaukee Bucks. To complicate matters, Kyrie Irving injured his ankle and the Nets were picked off in seven games.
The LA Clippers were a top-three betting favorite to win the title last season. The Clippers are in the top eight next season at +2000 odds because the team revealed that Kawhi Leonard tore his ACL and underwent surgery. His return is unknown.
The Golden State Warriors are +1200 odds to win the title and expect to have Klay Thompson returning at full health. The Warriors were mentioned in trade rumors for both the #1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, and to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.